Man steals $8,000 watch, diamond wedding ring from locker: police

Recent police and court records report the following area charges:

Bryan M. Lally, 27, of St. Ann, MO, was charged with selecting a phone charger and two phone cases on April 1 at the Brentwood Target, hiding them in his jacket and walking out without paying. He was stopped at the exit and the stolen items were recovered. He confessed to the theft.

Philip R. Dierker, 44, of St. Louis, was charged with forcing open a locker on May 10 at Club Fitness in Rock Hill and stealing a backpack containing a Breitling Superocean watch, an Apple iPhone 6, a pair of Serengeti sunglasses and a diamond wedding ring. The total value of the contents was estimated to be $10,055. The watch alone was valued at $8,000.

The victim said just before he closed his locker he had seen a man come into the locker room and sit on a nearby bench. The man was carrying a gym bag and had tattoos on his arms and legs. Security video showed the same man leave the locker room, then the facility, shortly before the victim returned to his locker. An employee said she had seen a red backpack sticking out of the gym bag being carried by the man. Police later received an anonymous tip that the defendant was responsible for the theft. He was arrested several day later. As he saw a marked police car approaching him, he ran and as he did he discarded what was later confirmed to be the victim’s watch. He denied any involvement in the theft when questioned by Rock Hill police. Meanwhile the victim and two witnesses from Club Fitness identified him from a photo lineup.